Californian Duett

Californian Duett is dedicated to Andres Martin and Jeremy Kurtz, both Solo Bassists in Tijuana and San Diego respectively, and both from California. The composer aimed to create a work with 'a Californian soul' which encompasses a strong mix of rhythm and harmony, with a strong influence of Californian rock. There are musical and technical challenges for each performer, using the entire range of the solo double bass, and creating a work of great rhythmic energy and momentum.

Californian Duett was premiered on 8 July 2011 at the EAEM (School of Advanced Musical Studies in Galicia) in the city of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) by Ernst Weissensteiner and Damian Arenas, as part of the opening concert of the 9th Ludwig Streicher Festival. It received its UK premiere on 20 August 2011 on the Pyramid Stage at Penny's Square Barn (Batcombe, Somerset), performed by David Heyes and Ben Groenevelt.

Bassist and composer Simon Garcia was born in Mugardos (Spain) in 1977 and graduated in double bass from the Conservatorio Superior of Salamanca. He has worked as a double bassist in the Royal Orchestra of Galicia, having also performed in many orchestras throughout Spain, and is the bassist in the Symphony Wind Orchestra of A. Coruna. He has collaborated with many musicians and ensembles, particularly in the field of contemporary music, and has recorded and performed on many commercial recordings and for television and radio broadcasts.

Simon Garcia has composed more than thirty works for double bass, ranging from two to six players, alongside transcriptions of these pieces for various chamber ensembles. His music has been performed in Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay, Denmark, Spain, Japan, Italy, Austria, Germany, Canada, USA and UK by The Bass Gang, Bass Instinct and Il Quint-etto amongst others, and some of his music was used as teaching material in the 2011 ISB Year of Collaborative Music.

Simon Garcia's music is lively, jazzy and rhythmic with great forward momentum and drive. Accessible for players and audiences alike, he writes colourful music of distinction and energy, employing the entire range of the double bass.